Diving Into the Depths

The Bible is the Word of God and is "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) to be read under the guidance of the holy spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). The holy book is pretty large (not larger than the Harry Potter series though), and it can be hard to read (if you read the archaic versions). Plus, it can be dull, depending on your taste in storytelling. However, it is the single most influential book in the world, giving birth to religions, innumerable historical events, works of art, and forever imprinting on the minds and spirits of humanity the world over.

Maybe it'd be important to fully read it?

Although I'd referred to and read through much of the Bible from an early age, I'd never completely digested the entire work until I was in my twenties. I'm an English literature major, and the one book all English literature points to - I hadn't fully read. Add in the fact that I'm a Christian who hadn't read the entire book on which my faith was based. It made no sense. I read it from front to back, and when I closed Revelations, it was like a spark of joy was in my heart and not just because now I could say I read it. It is a book of hope and love, spanning thousands of years, a story of God's journey into humanity's hearts.

I'm not a clergywoman nor have I been to seminary school, but through life experience and studying the Bible since my childhood, I've developed some skills - a very particular set of skills... ;) Some of these skills, I actually picked up while developing my degree in analyzing literature.

When reading the Bible, as with any document, it's important to understand and keep in mind the speaker, the audience (for whom the speaker intended to impart the information), the time period, the context, and whether the work is literal or symbolic.

Consider the source. The speakers within the Bible were people (imagine that!) with points of view and a different world in which they lived. Remember another post where I said Christianity has open-handed and close-handed issues? Some issues are mandatory for salvation and to be considered a Christian (i.e. Jesus died for our sins). Some issues are gray areas in which opinions may differ (i.e. Christmas should be celebrated). The speakers within the various Biblical books may speak on both types of issues. You need to know (or discover) which is God-mandated and which is opinion. The world in which these speakers lived was so utterly different from our own, from the government systems to the clothes on their backs. Another point about speakers: sometimes, they get it wrong. For example, check out the book of Job and his desperate, confused friends (possibly the most emo book of the Bible, besides Ecclesiastes). Keep in mind the source.

It's not always about you. Paul wrote many letters to the churches of his time, and they are all necessary to read in order to understand the fundamentals of our beliefs. However, much of what he wrote was to church leaders and concerned the running and organization of physical churches. Unless you are involved in that arena, you're not his audience. Also, Numbers is mostly a list of names of whom begat whom. It's a good reference for historians and genealogists but a terribly boring story.

Times are a'changin. Biblical and Rabbinic ideas have generally been at odds with the popular viewpoints of the world since always (source: the entire Bible/Torah/History books and how many deaths, tortures, and general ostracism was faced by believers). It's a book of rebels and resistance, but it's also a guidebook on how to be true to God's principles while living in a dark world, whatever that dark world looked like in that era. Some of what is asked may simply be about not causing weaker believers to stumble in their faith, which differed from time period to time period. See Romans 14:13-23.

Context is of utmost importance. If you randomly pull a verse from the Bible, you may come up with an incorrect conclusion on the main idea it was meant to convey. How about the phrase "Money is the root of all evil." Nope! That was taken out of context. Here's the real verse:

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1 Timothy 6:10

Ah, well, that's a different beast, you see? There is also a time when Paul stated the following:

"I'm telling those who are single and widows that it's good for them to stay single like me." 1 Corinthians 7:8

Is he telling you to be alone all your life or become a monk? Read on.

"Nevertheless, each person should live the kind of life that the Lord assigned when he called each one." 1 Corinthians 7:17

Please don't stop at one sentence, even if books, articles, or posts like this one is referencing only one. We can't plop the whole book into the middle of our work. Read the whole paragraph or book. Ideally, read the whole Bible.

Much of the literal vs. symbolic is up for debate. Sometimes, God is riding on a cloud ("the Lord is riding on a swift cloud" Isaiah 19:1) when maybe He wasn't literally. Does God riding on a cloud change something about your faith or the foundations of your beliefs? If not, have a hardy discussion, but in the end, shake hands and enjoy the Bible for what it is: a work of art manifested by Truth. Some of the Bible has poetry and song, utilizing imagery to convey a message. It's based in truth, but it's not always literal - unless you think it is, and we can agree to disagree but still love the same God.

These were just some ideas of things to keep in mind when reading the Bible because you're totally reading it, aren't you? Just remember, the Bible is not a single, huge book. It is made up of many books, many writers, many time periods, and the works range from poetry, to records of engineering plans, to genealogical lists, to songs (of romantic love to Godly praise), to short stories, to annals of history, to letters (of friendship, guidance, and journal-type), to prophecies, to records of wise sayings. In a way, it's both a love letter from God to us and from us to God. Don't complain that you're not hearing from God lately; He wrote you a love letter that transcends time and space.

Will you read it?

Science vs Faith

"A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him... The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator." - Louis Pasteur

Can we look more closely at the terms faith and science?

faith - complete trust or confidence in someone or something; strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

science - the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. (Webster)

At first glance, they may seem impossible to coincide. The need for proof and observation contradicts belief without evidence. However, there are many theories in science which are not purely based on observation and experiment such as:

1) The Big Bang
2) Macroevolution
3) Several Physics ideas (i.e. string theory)
4) Several Astronomy ideas (i.e. black-holes)

I believe a better definition of science would be an activity of study arriving at a logical conclusion, based on the available proof. In theory, this means that each person could come up with a different logical conclusion from the same evidence.

Many religions, but especially the Judeo-Christian faith, base their beliefs on faith. We don't need proof to believe. However, what if God wanted us to study Him, not in order to believe but because of our already existent faith?

God formed us with a brain, eyes, and ears that He continually asks us to use:

"Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?" Mark 8:18

Humanity has a natural, subconscious craving to follow God, whether we actively believe in Him or not. Yet, so many want to take the position that Christianity and science are two distinctly separate modes of thought. What is science but the study of God and His creations?

There are many arguments that advanced science is described in the Bible such as the belief that the Earth is suspended on nothing (Job 26:7), and possibly dinosaurs are described (Job 40:15 & 41:1). Some say that in Genesis 2:21, when God took one of Adam's ribs to form Eve, the word in Hebrew is curve instead of just rib. They say this may be acknowledgement of DNA. All of these are debatable theories.

Then, of course the whole of Leviticus is a study in psychology, sociology, and medicine. Many cultures at the time had little knowledge of sanitation practices and quarantining infectious diseases, unlike the Hebrews. (On how this saved many Jewish people during the Black Death much later on in history will be discussed in another blog post - stay tuned!)

Nevertheless, it is my belief that to separate science and Christianity is a fallacy and a detriment to humanity. We are made to seek God in many ways, and one of those ways is science. The "natural laws" are a testament to the order God brought out of the chaos. You may find it interesting there are many scientists (Christians and non-Christians) who agree that faith and science can and should mutually exist:

"Sometimes people ask if religion and science are not opposed to one another. They are: in the sense that the thumb and fingers of my hand are opposed to one another. It is an opposition by means of which anything can be grasped."- Sir William Bragg (physicist, chemist, mathematician)

"The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power." - Nikola Tesla (physicist, inventor, electrical/mechanical engineer)

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." - Einstein (theoretical physicist)

"This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton (mathematician, astronomer, physicist)

"One arrives at the conclusion that biomaterials with their amazing measure of order must be the outcome of intelligent design. No other possibility I have been able to think of..." - Sir Fred Hoyle (astronomer)

"The reason that science works is because God upholds the universe in a consistent and uniform way." - Jason Lisle PHD (astrophysicist)

There is so much that we don't know about the world. We have yet to understand the complexities of the human brain, the depths of the oceans, or the outer limits of the solar system. We have not discovered all the plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms on Earth, and there are new ones all the time. We have not yet invented everything or solved the world's many crises with our limited knowledge. Although we're forever searching and learning, we will never discover everything as some things in this life are beyond our grasp. In those situations, we must live by faith.

Science is like the brain and faith is like the heart. We never say we only need one or the other; we need both to survive. In conclusion, my scientific theory is that God is the most logical reason for everything that exists, and I base that on, not only the many ways God has touched my life and those around me, but also - faith.

Loving Even The Wolves

God's brand of love is crazy. I don't mean just fantastic crazy, although it is that; I mean genuinely off-your-rocker crazy. Like, if you do ever fully act in the spirit of God's love, you may be considered lacking sense. Well, that's the world for you.

See, the world has its own brand of wisdom, which is not God's. We've grown up in it, and throughout our lives have become inundated with it. So much so, that when we really pay attention to this "worldly wisdom," it makes complete sense.

A few years ago, I was driving to daycare and work with Cadence in the backseat. She was about 3-4 years old at the time. We'd been talking about Jesus' command to love God and love your neighbor. So, I asked her who her neighbor was. Out came God's wisdom when she stated proudly, "everyone is!" I was a bit stunned with her words, as I'd never actually told her that. It's true though, isn't it?

"But the teacher of the Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered, “There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he told the innkeeper, ‘and when I come back this way, I will pay you whatever else you spend on him.’” And Jesus concluded, “In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?” The teacher of the Law answered, “The one who was kind to him.” Jesus replied, “You go, then, and do the same.” Luke 10:29-37

The teacher of the law was hoping to find out who he needed to love and who he didn't. Instead, Jesus answered that the teacher of the law needed to be a neighbor himself, helping even those considered an enemy (as Samaritans were at the time).

There's a good deal of debate around this very subject as concerns immigrants and refugees. Many fear wolves in sheep clothing.

As much as we all hope our government will represent our own tightly-held principles, every country, heck every room with more than one person, holds many points of view. This isn't about the government, politics, or even what your neighbor is doing. You have little to no immediate control over such things. You do have control over YOU.

Does it sound crazy to hold a hand out to your enemy? Probably so. Yet, God says to do just that:

"Whenever you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, don’t leave it there. Be sure to help him with his animal." Exodus 23:5

Again:

“If you have enemies who are hungry, give them something to eat. If you have enemies who are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this you will make them feel ashamed.” Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good." Romans 12:20-21

And again:

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22

And again:

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:27:36

Did you realize that sinners are enemies of God? Do you recall that you're a sinner? Yet, He loves you. So, whatever you believe the right method is in dealing with the threat of wolves, remember you are a child of God who is called to love like crazy, and ""Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14.

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For the story of one man in Bible who showed mercy to his enemy and was considered "a man after God's own heart":

"The men said to David, “Today is the day the Lord spoke of when he said, ‘I will give your enemy over to you. Do anything you want with him.’” Then David crept up to Saul and quietly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Later David felt guilty because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “May the Lord keep me from doing such a thing to my master! Saul is the Lord’s appointed king. I should not do anything against him, because he is the Lord’s appointed king!” David used these words to stop his men; he did not let them attack Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went his way. When David came out of the cave, he shouted to Saul, “My master and king!” Saul looked back, and David bowed facedown on the ground. He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when people say, ‘David wants to harm you’? You have seen something with your own eyes today. The Lord put you in my power in the cave. They said I should kill you, but I was merciful. I said, ‘I won’t harm my master, because he is the Lord’s appointed king.’ My father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe, but I didn’t kill you. Now understand and know I am not planning any evil against you. I did nothing wrong to you, but you are hunting me to kill me. May the Lord judge between us, and may he punish you for the wrong you have done to me! But I am not against you. There is an old saying: ‘Evil things come from evil people.’ But I am not against you."1Samuel 24:4-13

Unpopular

No matter how much we might refute it, much of what we do daily is just an effort to keep from being ostracized from society. We wear clothes, even when it's too hot; we even wear uncomfortable clothes at times to look good for others or to be "appropriate" during special occasions. We diet or exercise partially just to look pleasing to the eyes of others. We bite our tongue or act polite even when we're thinking rude and angry words. It's goes beyond all this. There've been studies that show people will give a wrong answer if they're the only ones in a group thinking of the correct one, just to conform.

One of these studies is known as the Solomon Asch experiment of 1958. Asch arranged for a group of people to meet, all but one told to give a mix of correct and incorrect answers to the questions presented. The questions were obvious and easy, to tell which bars were of equal length. He set it up so that the majority of the conspirators would answer before the test subject in order to find out if he would go along with the crowd. An overwhelming 37 out of 50 conformed and gave an obviously incorrect answer. Afterwards, when asked why, most answered that they knew their answer was incorrect but went along with the rest to avoid ridicule or being thought of as strange. (Check out http://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html)

This is why it can be so difficult, even in a country with religious freedom, to stand up and speak God's word. I've felt uncomfortable praying aloud with others before; I've felt afraid to tell others the Biblical stance on controversial subjects; I've felt nervous to even bring up the subject of God in a mixed group. We fear more than just ridicule or strangeness; we fear being alone.

Here's where you might expect a pep talk on how, as Christians, we can expect God to keep us from such tribulations:

"If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. But they will treat you like this on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15: 18-21

Whelp, no pep talk here. Or, you know what, yes there is. This encouragement is to tell you that there's something much better than being just one of many.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

For those who can see, they will take heart in you and your courage. For those confused, your actions may be the door that they've been knocking on for answers.

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Unlike the yoke of the world, whose expectations are excessive, harmful, and never satisfied, follow God who will show you true peace.

"'Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine." Leviticus 20:26

And, here we are. In Leviticus, God made the distinction of the Levitical Priests and the rest of Israel. They were "set apart," and were called on to heal, teach, pray, and lead. The Levites were expected to be the epitome of cleanliness and holiness, made as role models not only for the whole of Israel but for every soul in the world. Then, Jesus came and fulfilled the law, allowing everyone, not just Israel to be a part of the tribe of God.

"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5

Now, we are the new priests.

Yes, if you are a child of God, then you are a Levite, one of the new priests in the present world. You are expected to be spiritually clean and holy, a role model bent on healing, teaching, praying, and leading the world to the feet of the one true God.

So, as a priest, you have a responsibility to remain "set...apart from the people to be Mine." As a Christian, you are not of the world, and that can mean many things.

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15-17

The world here indicates the world without God, the group giving wrong answers. Will you still attempt to conform and reject God?

"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:22

You know, walk the walk, don't just talk the talk. If you show up at church and praise God's ways, then step out of the church door after the sermon and walk down the path of God's ways. That can mean you are ostracized cause the crowd is going down a different, wider road.

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2

The things of the earth are corrupt and have been from an ancient age, but you are a new creation, a priest, a royal child of the one true King. Keep your mind on your purpose. Take off the yoke of the world's fears, criticisms, and hatred. Speak to the High Priest who is Jesus. There is always love in the eyes of God for you, keep looking His way.

Shun the shunners, and run to the One who will receive you no matter what. With Him, you are enough.